The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-09-22
DEMOCRACY.
State Convention of Massachusetts,
Pass a Clear Cut, Strong
Platform,
Warmly Eulogistic of Cleveland's
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS on
the TaritE


11:30 o'clock Chairman Collins, of the
state central committee, ascended the
platform in Mechanics hall, and the
democratic state convention was called to
order. An organization was effected by the
election of Congressman p. A. Collins as
temporary chairman. Jonas H. French
was recommended by the convention as
permanent presiding officer. French was
received with great applause as he ad-
dressed the convention.
At the conclusion of Chairman French's
remarks, the report of the committee on
credentials was read.
Senator Rhodes then nominated II. B.
Lowering for governor, and L. A. Alvord
nominated VIM. L. Russell. The ballot
resulted: Whole number, 1,001; neces-
sary for choice, 50l; Lowering, 63s;
Russell, 1868. Lowering was unanimously
declared the nominee.
THE PLATFORM.
WORCESTER, September 20.-Hon. Z.
Avery reported the following platform:
First-The democrats of Massachusetts,,
in convention assembled, congratulate
their fellow countrymen that under the
administration of democratic president,
peace, concord and fraternity have been
restored and prevail throughout the land;
that the rights of every citizen under the
national laws are sacredly maintained
without regard to race, creed or color;
that an economical, honest and wise finan-
cial policy has advanced the credit of the
country at home and abroad, and not
withstanding the accumulation in the
national treasury of vast surplus rev.
enue, has thus far warded off a financial
crisis; that millions of acres of the
public lands recklessly granted to cor
porate monopolies have been restored to
the people; that the constitution and the
nation have again become the pride of
every American, and recognized as the
sources of individual liberty and national
progress, prosperity and honor; and
finally that we are blessed in having
national president who knows no north,
no south, no east, no west, but discharges
the duties of his exalted station in strict
conformity to the constitution and laws,
and with unswerving fidelity to his con-
viction of what is right and for the best
interests of the whole people.
Second-As democrats we return our
thanks to the president for his adherence
to the promises and pledges made on his
behalf before the election, for his fidelity
to the principles enunoiated by the con-
vention that placed him in nomination,
and for demonstrating the wisdom of
those principles when applied to the prac-
tical administration of the government.
AS citizens we give him our thanks for an
honest and economical administration,
national in spirit, strong and vigorous in
action, in fine, an administration which
has enhanced the honor and dignity of the
nation, renewed our faith IN the capacity
of free people for elf-government, and
added new lustre to the name of Ameri-
can citizens. AS democrats and citizens
we pledge to him and to his adminstra-
tion our unqualified support.
Third-It being an unquestioned prin-
ciple that the business of the govern ment
should be conducted with the same care as
personal business matters, therefore we
believe that no business can be success
fully carried on unless these engaged in
its prosecution act in harmony. We be-
lieve that no business man would employ
or retain in his employ any person who
was known to be in the interest of rival,
who deprecated his business capacity,
undermined his credit or disclosed his
secrets. We believe no administration of
the government can be successful unless
those who are entrusted with the execu-
tion of its affairs are interested In its sue
cess, approve of it's policy and believe in
its principles. We believe all the impor-
tant offices in the civil service should
be filled by competent persons in political
sympathy with the administration; that
all other offices, not representative in
character, should be filed by persons
selected for their fitness, capacity and in
tegrity; that the disposing of patronage
should neither be tax on the time of our
public men, nor the instrument of their
We believe that no officer
should be retained in the public service
who has shown himself an offensive par l.
san, and we think sense of propriety to
the administration, of which they are a
part, requires the formal officeholders
representing the administration in this
state, to discharge from the public service
any of their subordinates against whom
charges of offensive partisanship can be
substantiated.
Fourth-We believe that the power of
congress to tax the people is limited by
the constitution to the requirements of
the government; that any system of taxa
tion which produces revenue beyond
that is unwise and dangerous. It throws
burdens on the people and'l
enhances the cost of living. It encour-
ages needless and extravagant appropria-
tions by congress, and by Withdrawing
from general circulation money that
should be actively employed, and embar-
rasses trade and may be the cause of a
financial crisis. We do not
advocate free trade, but favor any revis-
ion of the present unjust and burdensome
tariff laws. We heartily approve of the
following recommendation of the prssi-
dent: "The increasing and unnecessary
surplus should be released to the people
by an amendment TO our revenue laws,
which shall cheaper the price of the nee
essaries of life, and give free entrance TO
such imported materials as may be man
ufactured into marketable commodities"
We believe the income derived by the
government from the internal revenue
tax should be applied to discharge this
burdens imposed on the people by the
late war.
Fifth-We cordially approve of those
acts of congress which forbid the i'm
portation of contract labor and require
The return of all dIsreputable, vicious and
criminal persons, but we welcome the
honest and industrious immigrant who
- l. ali ..e.1